Commerce has awarded Management Science Associates (MSA) of Pittsburgh a contract to determine the long-term U.S demand for steel-mill products. Congress instructed Commerce to conduct such a study because of concerns raised by U.S. steel producers and steel service centers about a perceived shrinkage of the domestic manufacturing sector and its need for steel.

The study will consider the expected demand for steel-using products and services, the substitution of alternative materials and lighter-weight steel by steel-using industries, and the impact of imports of steel-containing products. The study will also try to determine whether the 2001-2003 downturn in steel use was due to short-term cyclical conditions or the result of a long-term trend. Patrick J. Gallagher, vice president, says MSA has "extensive experience and background in market analysis and strong domain knowledge of steel-producing and steel-consuming industries."

However, the 41-year-old firm's expertise—as detailed on its own website, www.msa.com—is in process control, automation, business intelligence and supply-chain management systems for manufacturers. So, allow the editors of PURCHASING Magazine to be a bit skeptical about MSA's knowledge of the steel-buying community. If you are surveyed, please e-mail Tom Stundza at stundza@reedbusiness.com. File it under: "Inquiring minds want to know!"

stundza@reedbusiness.com